Prediction: Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Verdict: Manchester City win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Facing what appears to be another season-defining affair on Wednesday night, Manchester City will welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate at home against title rivals Arsenal over the weekend, Manchester City know the importance of making a crucial statement here. However, despite opening the midweek fixtures sat three points adrift in the title chase, Pep Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous 23 straight appearances across all competitions. With that run stemming all the way back to a 1-0 loss away at Aston Villa on December 6th, the former Barcelona boss has also seen his squad gain a reputation for their success on home soil. Despite eventually only snatching a single point against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, City have not suffered a single Premier League defeat in the blue half of Manchester since November 2022. With this season’s Premier League title scrap appearing that it will go down to the wire, Guardiola’s superstar squad know that they will once again have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here.

Team News

Missing out against Arsenal over the weekend after picking up a knock while away with England on international duties, Kyle Walker remains a real doubt here. Likewise, with Brazilian shot-stopper Ederson also dealing with a recent issue, Stefan Ortega should keep his spot between the sticks on Wednesday night.

Despite failing to find the net in any of his previous five appearances for club and country, Erling Haaland will spearhead Guardiola’s charge at the Etihad. Despite making a return off the bench on Sunday afternoon, former Aston Villa skipper Jack Grealish should settle for another spot among City’s subs.

Aston Villa

As for the visitors, marking their return from March’s international break with a deserved 2-0 victory against local rivals Wolves, Aston Villa have continued on a real Premier League romp this season. In the midst of what has been a history-making flurry under Unai Emery, Wednesday’s guests are sat in the driving seat to claim a famous Champions League ticket come May. Continuing to receive a string of plaudits from across England’s elite, the one-time Arsenal boss finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Opening the midweek fixtures holding a three-point buffer over Tottenham in the top-four chase, Villa have also lost just one of their previous eight showdowns across all competitions. Likewise, snatching a famous 1-0 victory when they welcomed City to the Midlands for their reverse Premier League showdown back on December 6th, Emery’s side will be desperate to spring another monumental upset on Wednesday night.

Team News

Limping off against Wolves over the weekend, Aston Villa are seriously sweating over the fitness of attacking talisman Ollie Watkins on Wednesday night. Likewise, picking up a muscle injury while away with Poland on international duties last week, former Nottingham Forest defender Matty Cash is not expected to travel to the Etihad here.

Scotland international John McGinn still remains on the sidelines as he serves the final game of his three-match suspension. 20-year-old Jhon Duran could replace Watkins in the final third and make just a second Premier League start of the season.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester City and Aston Villa met for their reverse Premier League showdown on December 6th, Wednesday’s guests picked up a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• The Sky Blues are unbeaten in all of their previous 23 straight appearances across all competitions.
• Man City have not suffered a single Premier League defeat at the Etihad since November 2022.
• Aston Villa have not collected a Premier League victory at the Etihad since way back in April 2007.
• Emery’s men have won just five of their previous 12 away fixtures across all competitions.

Conclusion

Forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate when they welcomed Arsenal to the Etihad on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City know the importance of making a real statement here. Getting the midweek fixtures underway sat three points adrift in the title chase, the Sky Blues will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders on Wednesday night. Despite falling to a shock 1-0 loss when they travelled to Villa Park for their reverse Premier League showdown on December 6th, we are predicting what could be a nail-biting home victory in the blue half of Manchester.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet